WASHINGTON, DC ‒ U.S. healthcare workers experienced a staggering 249 percent increase in injury and illness rates in 2020, based on employer-reported data, as they encountered serious safety and health hazards while serving those in need and labored countless hours battling the pandemic. In fact, healthcare and social assistance workers combined for more injuries and illnesses than any other industry in the nation.

In the week ending February 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 248,000, an increase of 23,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 2,000 from 223,000 to 225,000. The 4-week moving average was 243,250, a decrease of 10,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 253,250 to 253,750.

WEST COLUMBIA, SC – The U.S. Department of Labor found a West Columbia home healthcare provider shortchanged 36 employees who provide companionship and personal care for seniors, people with cognitive disorders, mothers of newborns and others who need assistance, by denying them the overtime wages they earned.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a $4.5 million cooperative agreement with Pact Inc., an international nonprofit organization, to combat child labor in mica-producing communities in Madagascar.

HOUSTON – Tras una orden de un tribunal federal, el Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. ha recuperado $139,068 en salarios atrasados y daños y perjuicios adeudados a 21 trabajadores cuyo empleador de Houston clasificó erróneamente como contratistas independientes y no pagó las horas extras.

HOUSTON – Following a federal court order, the U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $139,068 in back wages and liquidated damages owed for 21 workers whose Houston employer misclassified them as independent contractors and failed to pay overtime wages.

Employer name:        Lubbock Essential Home Health Care Inc., operating as Essential Home Health

Investigation site:      Lubbock, Texas

WASHINGTON – The historic investment in our nation’s aging infrastructure made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – signed by President Biden on Nov. 15, 2021 – will have a significant impact on those involved in federal construction contracts. 

FRISCO, TX – A Frisco residential builder received a hefty bill for unpaid overtime wages following a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.  

Employer name:                    Touch of Grace Services LLC

                                                 Touch of Grace ADHC/LTC LLC

Investigation site:                  Natchitoches, Louisiana

Participant:   Molson Coors

Address:         Rocky Mountain Metal Container End Plant

                        Golden, Colorado

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to improve worker safety and health by ensuring the agency’s general industry and construction industry rules reflect current industry practice and state-of-the-art technology.

TURLOCK, CA – Con demasiada frecuencia, investigadores federales descubren que trabajadores del extranjero traídos a EE.UU. no reciben los derechos y protecciones que les corresponden por ley. Empleadores no les pagan como requiere la ley, los transportan en vehículos inseguros y los alojan en viviendas hacinadas y en condiciones peligrosas.

WASHINGTON – In response to the March 25, 2020, reauthorization of the Older Americans Act through the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor today published two notices to revise its Senior Community Service Employment Program regulations to conform to the changes. 

PORT ARTHUR, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against a Florida security contractor that terminated a worker after they raised concerns in a work group chat on a secure messaging app about safe firearm storage and coronavirus-related workplace hazards, including a lack of physical distancing and other potential exposure risks.

TURLOCK, CA – Too often, federal investigators find foreign-born workers brought to the U.S. fail to receive the rights and protections they are legally due. Employers don’t pay them as the law requires, and transport them in unsafe vehicles and house them in overcrowded – and sometimes hazardous – conditions. Employers who exploit these workers gain an unfair advantage over industry competitors and lower standards for domestic workers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an initial award of $2,968,350 to support disaster-relief employment for individuals to assist with cleanup and recovery efforts, and to provide employment and training services in northern California after devastating wildfires between July and October 2021, which burned extensively throughout the national forests there.

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the employer involved in a February 2021 double fatality at a downtown Boston worksite and his successor company again for failing to provide employees with essential and required safeguards, this time at an East Boston residential construction site.  

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the International Labour Organization’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations report:

BOSTON – An order issued by a federal judge in Massachusetts, has fully granted the U.S. Department of Labor’s motion for summary judgment regarding numerous violations of federal law by a Weymouth restaurant and its owner that deprived workers of their hard-earned wages and tips.